A Simple Guide to Burgundy Wine (with Maps) | Wine Folly A Simple Guide to Burgundy Wine (with Maps) July 8, 2013 Blog » Learn About Wine » A Simple Guide to Burgundy Wine (with Maps) Want more confidence buying Burgundy wine? This simplified guide includes maps, infographics and the most important facts on the five major sub-regions. Know which regions are better for Chardonnay vs Pinot Noir. Guide to Burgundy Wine Regions The French Wine region of Burgundy (aka “Bourgogne”) may be small in size but its influence is huge in the world of vino. It can strike fear into the heart of even a seasoned wine pro, but fear not – the region need only be as complex as you want it to be. Yes, it is home to some of the most expensive wines in the known universe but there are tasty affordable wines too. Burgundy Wine History limestone fossil. by Paul About 200 million years ago, the region was part of a vast, tropical sea which created limestone soils, the secret behind the zesty minerality that’s a hallmark of Burgundy wines.

In fact, if you venture into the vineyards you can find chunks of limestone or marl (limestone mixed with clay) that have fascinating fossilized sea creatures mixed within. Winemaking goes back to the Romans in the 1st century AD but it was the Catholic monks that really established the vineyards in the Middle Ages growing grapes for the church and the aristocratic Dukes of Burgundy. The French Revolution gave the land back to the people who, today, pride themselves on their attachment to the land. So much so that many are practicing sustainable, organic and bio-dynamic viticulture and winemaking in ever increasing numbers. Just The Facts: Burgundy Wine The easiest way to wrap your brain around Burgundy is that there are just two grape varieties to remember: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay To the ‘vigneron” (winemakers/growers) Burgundy is not only the original home of these grapes but the ’terroir’ (tare-wah) that best expresses their character – elegant, aromatic, complex and highly enjoyable! Q: What is Terroir? The symbiosis of grape, soil, climate, vineyard placement, and the human touch, all rolled into one.

Burgundy is all about ‘terroir’ – it’s not just the taste of rocks. 2016 Wine Map Update Now Available: Appellation maps to explore all of the major wine producing regions of the world. Discover art made to be handled. View Wine Maps ➜ Where Exactly is Burgundy? Located in the east-central part of France, Burgundy has 5 wine growing areas (not including Beaujolais and Châtillonnais): Chablis CHABLIS "Famous for zesty Chardonnay" Chablis is the furthest north and geographically set apart from the rest of Burgundy. The river Serein (Serene) flows through the area, moderating the climate and grapes have been grown here since the Cistercian monks first started the vineyards in the 12th century. In reality, it’s really closer to Champagne, both in terms of location and climate, with harsh cold winters, spring frost and hot summers. The dominant soil here is called “Kemmeridgian” limestone, just like in Champagne.

Its white chalky texture is great at retaining and reflecting the warmth of the sun, sorely needed this far north, which helps the grapes ripen and gives the wines a purity and crispness that just says “Chablis”. All the wines are white and made with Chardonnay grapes. CÔTE DE NUITS "Famous for the richest Pinot Noir" The Côte de Nuits (named after walnut trees!) is home to 24 Grand Cru vineyards and some of the world’s most expensive vineyard real estate. The area begins just south of Dijon and ends at the village of Corgoloin. 80% of the wines produced here are Pinot Noir and the remaining 20% either Chardonnay or Rosé - a specialty of Marsannay. The Grand Cru vineyards form a patchwork on the eastern slopes facing the valley of the Saône River starting at the village of Gevery Chambertin, past Morey St-Denis and south to Vougeot and Vosne Romanée. Most are small and can have many owners, due to the structure of post French Revolution inheritance laws.

These renowned expressions of Pinot Noir can age for decades – and it might just take that long to save up for them as prices can range into the thousands of dollars. But don’t give up! Try some of the Côte de Nuits Village wines from Fixin, Brochon, Premeaux, Comblanchien and Corgoloin. Mostly Pinot Noir, they show classic full-bodied Burgundy notes of black currant, cherry, fresh red fruits and earthy mushroom and spice. Offerings in the Premier Cru category can be good buys as well and perfect for that special occasion. CÔTE DE BEAUNE "Famous for rich Chardonnay" The Côte de Beaune – named after the medieval village that is the heart of wine commerce in Burgundy – is quite different than its neighbor to the north. Here, the valleys are open and rolling, the vineyards have more of a southeasterly exposure and Chardonnay plays a more important role with 7 of the 8 Grand Cru vineyards producing white wine – Corton, Corton Charlemagne, Montrachet ( literal translation: Bald Mountain), being some of the well known names.

Again, you don’t need to mortgage the farm to enjoy amazing wines from this region. Look for the Côte de Beaune Village and Premier Cru wine from Chassagne-Montratchet, Santenay, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, St. Aubin, Volnay, Pommard and Beaune The whites are filled with aromas of soft white flowers, dried grasses, fresh apple and pear and sometimes a touch of hazelnut. The reds will be a joy to drink now, or keep 5 years or so, with touches of plum, cherrystone, white tobacco and that Burgundian signature of minerality and good acidity. Côte de Nuits + Côte de Beaune = Côte d'Or! The 2 most historically important regions in Burgundy make up the Côte d’Or or Golden Slope a brisk day in Côte Chalonnaise. source CÔTE CHALONNAISE "Great for Value Pinot Noir and Sparkling Crémant" Our next stop in our tour of Burgundy is the Côte Chalonnaise situated between the towns of Chagny and Saint-Vallerin.

Here there are no Grand Cru vineyards. The Dukes of Burgundy were centered in Dijon and liked to keep their holdings close to home. They considered these areas to the south to be more rural and for the peasants! What a shame, they really missed out on some superb wines! The first village in the northern part of the region is Bouzeron, the only appellation devoted to the other white grape of Burgundy, Aligoté. This is a perfect summer sipper or choice for fish and shellfish. Aligoté is floral, citrus and flint, with perhaps a touch of honey. Delicious. Another village that does something a bit different (do we see a pattern emerging? ) is Rully, a vibrant center of Cremant de Bourgogne production since the 19th century. These white and rosé sparklers are made in the traditional method just as in Champagne. The villages of Mercurey, Givry and Montagny lay atop wonderful soils; layers of Jurassic limestone and marl with topsoils of eroded pebbles and clay.

In fact, the area around Givry, in the middle of the Chalonnaise, has over 13 types of soil. These different plots give the wines individual character and the winemakers here really know their soils, with some having held the vineyard lands since the 17th century. The wines from this area are good value. They range from smooth Chardonnays with subtle oak influences and ripe tree fruits to more rustic Pinot Noir filled with dried strawberry, cherry, earth and forest influences and suede-like tannins. MÂCONNAIS "Awesome Valued Chardonnay" The most southerly region, and the largest of Burgundy, is the Mâconnais. Once thought ‘ordinary’ this region is somewhat the ‘rogue’ of the family. During hard times, like the worldwide depression of the 1920’s and two World Wars, this region felt the brunt. Many of the local growers sold their grapes to co-operatives to survive. By the 1960's and 70's, tastes began to change with the consumption of wine dropping. They realized they needed to improve the wines if they wanted to compete.

Fruit quality standards were set and many younger growers, inheriting the family vineyards, decided to make their own wines. Located between the town of Tournus and St. Veran it lies at the crossroads between Northern and Southern France. The change is striking. As you travel south, even the buildings appear different – more Mediterranean in color and style with curved tiles on the rooftops. The climate is decidedly warmer too; in fact harvest begins a full two weeks earlier here than in Chablis. In the centre of the region is Viré-Clessé. Although it was declared as an appellation in 1999, outstanding wines have been made here for centuries. The influence of the warmer climate shows in the well-structured Chardonnays with notes of ripe stone fruits, honeysuckle, citrus peel and wild herbs. The main area, and most famous, is in the south: Pouilly-Fuissé, This region is a beautiful, open amphitheater of vineyards, with the villages in the valley bottom, lying in the shadow of Mont Solutré and Mont Vergisson.. Many of the vineyards border Beaujolais, just over the hills to the south.

The soils here are limestone with some granite as well. The wines are white, made from Chardonnay and display soft apple, pineapple and white peach aromas with wonderful structure and freshness. Burgundy Wine Classification Find better quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Burgundy by understanding how the wines are classified. There are over 100 ‘appellations’ or approved wine growing areas and these are divided into 4 levels of quality. 1% Grand Cru e.g. Crémant de Bourgogne Regional Wines Regional Wines can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Burgundy and tend to be fresh, light and lively making them terrific sippers or aperitif wines. You will find them labeled “Bourgogne Rouge” (red) or “Bourgogne Blanc (white). Don’t forget to check out the back label on these wines! They are now allowed to note the grape variety which can be really helpful. If you like sparkling wines, the delightful “Crément de Bourgogne” is also in this category. Village Wines The next step-up are the “Village” wines named after a town near to where the grapes are sourced.

These wines are still fresh and fruity, with little-to-no oak, but are a tad more complex. Look for names like “Pouilly Fuisse”, “Santenay”, “Givry” or “Mercurey”. Premier Cru Burgundy “Premier Cru” wines are from special vineyard areas within a village. These bits of vineyard are called “climats” (clee-mats) and produce wines that are a bit more intense than the regular old Village wines! This might be because of the type of soil, the way the vineyard faces the morning sun, longer aging in oak or a myriad of other reasons. Premier Crus are still affordable and make marvelous food wines. The label will say “Premier Cru” or “1er Cru”. Grand Cru Burgundy And finally, the big daddies of Bourgogne – the “Grand Cru” with famous names like Romanée Conti, La Tâche, Montrachet and the label will proudly proclaim their status! Although they account for just over 1% of Burgundy’s annual production, these are the wines for which people are willing to pay top dollar.

Bold, powerful, complex and made for cellaring, these are the epitome of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. There are a total of 33 Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy – some are just inches away from a Premier Cru vineyard. The most important thing I ever learned about Burgundy is that there are always exceptions to every rule – and here’s one: Remember the levels of wine that apply to Burgundy? Well they don’t in Chablis. The area known for zesty Chardonnay has its very own ranking system. Hilarie Larson Chablis Classification System Petit Chablis Produced from grapes grown surrounding the village, which are higher in acidity and have lots of light citrus character. These are wonderful when drunk young so look for recent vintages. Chablis These wines are a bit rounder and more minerally with grapes sourced from the limestone slopes near the village of Chablis. The majority of the wines we see on our local shelves are in this category.

Premier Cru Chablis Only about 15% of the annual production, these wines are more nuanced and elegant coming from vineyards filled with that wonderful Kimmeridgian limestone marl giving these wines a distinctive character. Look for climate names on the label like “Mont de Milieu” (“Mount in the middle”), “Côte de Léchet” (really zesty) or “Fourchaume” (fruity). Grand Cru Chablis These vineyards are located in a beautiful arc north of the town of Chablis where the steep slopes face south-southwest. There is only, technically, one Grand Cru but there are 7 ‘climats’ inside that Grand Cru and their names will be on the label: Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Presuses, Valmur and Vaudésir. The Grand Cru wines in Chablis can taste dissimilar to the rest of Chablis because many are aged in oak. The Grand Cru vineyards produce wines that age beautifully with floral honey notes and a refreshing flinty acidity.

French Wine Regions France French Wine France – the home of Bordeaux , Burgundy and Champagne – is arguably the world's most important wine-producing country. For centuries, it has produced wine in greater quantity – and of reportedly greater quality – than any other nation. Wine is ingrained in French culture at almost every level of society; it is the drink of both the elite and the common people, and a key symbol in Roman Catholicism, France's majority religion. The enduring attraction of French wine is not necessarily its volume or prestige, however, but rather the variety of styles available. Consumer preferences have changed over the centuries, encouraging the development of new styles of wine from the terrain and grape varieties available to France's vignerons. Red, white, rosé, sweet, dry, sparkling, opulent, austere, mineral-scented, fruity – French vineyards have produced wines to match each of these descriptors. (© Wine-Searcher) French wine: an enduring tour de force The diversity of French wine is due, in part, to the country's wide range of climates.

Champagne, its most northerly region, has one of the coolest climates anywhere in the wine-growing world – in stark contrast to the warm, dry Rhone Valley 350 miles (560km) away in the southeast. Bordeaux, in the southwest, has a maritime climate heavily influenced by the Atlantic ocean to its west and the various rivers that wind their way between its vineyards. Far from any oceanic influence, eastern regions such as Burgundy and Alsace have a continental climate, with warm, dry summers and cold winters. In France's deep south, Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon enjoy a definitively Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot summers and relatively mild winters. Geology and topography play equally important roles in the diversity of French wine. The country's large number of independently recognized wine regions and sub-regions reflects its wide range of soil types – and the landscapes that created them. Each sub-region can be defined by its particular geographical features, which in turn create specific characteristics in the wines produced there.

From the granite hills of Beaujolais to the famous chalky slopes of Chablis and the gravels of the Medoc, the sites on which France's vineyards have been developed are considered of vital importance and are at the heart of the concept of terroir . A region's terroir dictates the grape varieties used to produce its traditional wines. In the days before efficient vine husbandry, vignerons grew whatever was best suited to the local soils and climate, choosing from the (often limited) selection of grape varieties available to them. Thus, the relationship between French wine regions and their key varieties have evolved naturally over many centuries, as exemplified by the close relationship between Pinot Noir and Burgundy. Where a variety has been used in multiple regions, the style(s) of wine it produces in each also evolved naturally. Compare, for example, the difference between Chardonnay in Champagne (crisp, tart, acidic, sparkling), and in Macon (rounder, riper, richer, fruitier). France's appellation system was created in the early 20th century and has since been imitated in many other countries.

This complex system of laws ultimately defines each wine region and its boundaries and imposes strict rules around winemaking practices. Protecting the names of French wines and guaranteeing the quality and provenance of the products themselves are its key objectives. No other country has developed its appellation system to such an extent; as of 2012, there were more than 450 controlled appellations under the AOC titles and a further 150 Vin de Pays/IGP titles. A key factor in the development of the complex, comprehensive categorization of France's wine styles and quality levels is their sheer volume and diversity, as discussed above. Every year, the country produces more than 50 million hL of wine (6500 million standard bottles) from around 1.9m acres (775,000ha) of vineyards. Last updated 18-May-2015 French sips: A trip to Burgundy, Beaujolais and Chablis French sips: A trip to Burgundy, Beaujolais and Chablis Sipping through Burgundy, the quieter cousin of Bordeaux.

Post to Facebook French sips: A trip to Burgundy, Beaujolais and Chablis Sipping through Burgundy, the quieter cousin of Bordeaux. Check out this story on rgj.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the Conversation Activate your digital access. French sips: A trip to Burgundy, Beaujolais and Chablis Rebecca Davidson, Special to the RGJ Published 9:00 p.m. PT Nov. 12, 2014 | Updated 11:46 a.m. PT Nov. 14, 2014 Buy Photo An arched sign welcomes people to the Georges Duboeuf complex in the Beaujolais area of Burgundy. The legendary Duboeuf, one of France’s most successful wine merchants, is credited with keeping Beaujolais wines on the map.

(Photo: Rebecca Davidson/Special to the RGJ )Buy Photo Burgundy, Beaujolais and Chablis are three of the most misused words in the American wine vocabulary — thanks to California jug wine producers who decided back in the 1940s and 50s that labeling their generic wines with these famous French appellations would dramatically increase sales. Successful marketing campaigns notwithstanding, the real Burgundy is a region in east-central France that also incorporates the areas of Beaujolais and Chablis. No visit to French wine regions would be complete without a stop in Burgundy. When I traveled through France earlier this year, I was able to spend some time in this famous wine growing mecca. The ancestral home of pinot noir, chardonnay and gamay, Burgundy — like most European wine regions — has a long history of grape growing. The Romans planted vines in the area many centuries ago, but it was really the Cluny and Citeaux monks in the Middle Ages who defined and demarcated the best soil sites for the best grapes. It's all about the vineyard here.

The classifications according to quality range from basic Bourgogne appellation wines sourced from the entire region all the way up to the grand cru ("great growth") vineyards located in the Côte d'Or and Chablis. The soils date from the Jurassic Period and are primarily composed of lime-packed marl (which pinot loves) and marine limestone (which chardonnay loves.) Because of seismic activity and erosion, the landscape often resembles a marble cake, with patches of reddish marl mingled with fields of limestone. The contrast can be quite striking as you drive through Burgundy. Deep roots My tour begins with a visit to Chablis, nicknamed the Golden Gate of Burgundy. Located in the northern part of the region, Chablis was annexed by the Dukes of Burgundy in the 15th century. Vineyards here are exclusively planted to chardonnay, which thrives in a type of soil known as Kimmeridgian clay that dominates the best sites. Chablis, home of the original un-oaked chardonnay, produces wines made in a very clean style that is often considered the purest expression of the grape.

On a crisp spring day (to match the crisp white wines for which the region is famous), we drive past limestone-rich vineyards glistening in the sun. Continuing through the sleepy little village of Chablis itself, we arrive at Domaine Chenevières, owned by the Brocard family and headed by Jean-Marc Brocard, a rock star in this part of Burgundy. Jean-Bernard Breuille, the commercial director for the domaine, greets us, and we begin with a tour of the extensive cellars dug down more than 80 feet. At an exposed wall used for demonstrations, Breuille illustrates how deep the grapes' roots will go to reach nutrients — often growing downward three feet per year — resulting in old-vine chardonnays heavily laden with minerality imparted by the soil. A buffet lunch consisting of fresh breads, salads and charcuterie follows and is accompanied by recent vintages of Domaine Chenevières wines.

As I taste through the impressive line-up that ranges from "Les Grandes Vignes" to "Premier cru Fourchaume," I'm reminded that nothing else in the world smells or tastes like Chablis with its steeliness and gunflint notes. _____________________________ BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU FOR THANKSGIVING Beaujolais nouveau (or new Beaujolais) is the lightest, fruitiest style of wine produced in the Burgundy region of France. It's made with minimum aging using grapes picked from basic vineyards in late summer, and it's designed to celebrate the harvest and thank the workers. It takes only a few months for Beaujolais nouveau to be bottled and shipped, with an annual worldwide release date on the third Thursday of November (Nov. 20 this year). Beaujolais nouveau isn't a serious wine, but it's a fun addition to the holiday table, and it happens to pair nicely with turkey, stuffing, potatoes and other Thanksgiving foods.

_____________________________ Good values If Bordeaux is the French equivalent of Napa with its world-famous producers and high profile wines, then Burgundy is like Sonoma: a meandering countryside with rolling hills and rivers running through it, a countryside dotted with vineyards and small villages beckoning you to stop and visit for a while. Continuing south, we head toward the Côte Chalonnaise, another area that sits inside of the Burgundy region. The wines produced here from the appellations of Rully, Mercurey and Givry are often the true values of Burgundy, often costing a fraction of the price of wines produced by their neighbors to the north in the Côte d'Or. We arrive at Château de Chamirey, a 17th century estate located in the village of Mercurey, and are greeted by the owners, Amaury and Aurore Devillard. The Devillard family, landowners in Burgundy since the 12th century, purchased the Château de Chamirey in 1932.

As we overlook vineyards from the magnificent balcony of this storybook property, Amaury Devillard speaks with pride about the uniqueness of each vineyard and his family's role as stewards of the land and the wine. The French concepts of terroir and élevage (early shaping of the wine) are alive and well here. We taste through a myriad of chardonnay and pinot noirs from a portfolio encompassing more than 150 acres and five separate domaines. The 2011 Château de Chamirey Mercurey Rouge premier cru "Les Ruelles" is a standout with its bright red fruit and earthy notes, finishing with a potpourri of spice and flowers. I am not surprised to learn this wine often is mistaken in professional tastings for a much more expensive grand cru. Full bunches Rounding out our visit to Burgundy, we make our way to Beaujolais, the southernmost region and home of the gamay grape. True to form, a vineyard hierarchy exists here as well, one that stretches from basic Beaujolais to the 10 best villages (called the cru Beaujolais) clustered in the northern part of this area.

Gamay, the only grape permitted by law to be used in wine production, accounts for 98 percent of the plantings in Beaujolais. Vignerons (growers and winemakers) utilize a technique called carbonic maceration in which grapes are not pressed in the traditional manner but, instead, are placed in full bunches in vats. As the grapes at the bottom of the vat burst under pressure and begin fermentation, the vat warms up, and the unbroken grapes at the top also begin fermentation, but inside their own skins. Result? A fresh, youthful, bright and perfumed wine that is uniquely Beaujolais and best served with a slight chill. Our host for dinner is the legendary Georges Duboeuf, a man of great energy and charm. Nicknamed the "King of Beaujolais" and one of the most successful wine merchants in France, he is credited with keeping Beaujolais wines on the global map. A fun and lighthearted evening ensues us as we make our way through Duboeuf's Disneyesque museum and on to the main hall where musicians and dancers perform in traditional attire.

Dinner consists of local specialties paired with several crus Beaujolais of varying style and body. The main course, Bresse free-range chicken served with crêpes and sautéed forest mushrooms, pairs exceptionally well with the 2011 Morgon Jean E. Descombes. A highly rated cru Beaujolais, it is often described as having the fruit of Beaujolais and the charm of Burgundy. We end the evening, tastevins in hand, and as we are inducted into the fraternal order of the "Grappilleurs du Beaujolais," we sing to the vineyard gods and toast Bacchus for our good fortune. 19 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: TOP VIDEOS French wines and wine regions of France South-west Alsace Situated on the lower eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains, in the Rhine valley between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, the Alsace vineyard is rather different from any other French wine growing area.

Like the region of Alsace itself, the wine culture here is steeped in a Germanic tradition, producing mostly dry or fruity white wines, the most popular being Riesling, Sylvaner and the very fruity Gewurztraminer. The rules of Appellation contrôlée - and more recently of Appellation Protégée (AOP) are not applied in the same way in Alsace as in the rest of France. In Alsace, wines are produced under a simple "Alsace" appellation, after which the next most important element to be indicated, and the most visible word on the label, is the grape variety or "cépage", Sylvaner, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Edelzwicker, Pinot or a few others. Smaller areas do not have their own appellations, though with many Alsace wines, the name of the village or vineyard from which it comes will also be indicated. See also Vendanges tardives. Lorraine, also in north east France, produces mostly Vin de pays white wines, in the Meuse and the Moselle. Price list outside a top-class wine merchant in the Bordeaux region.

Note the price of a bottle of Petrus 1982.... at 6720 €. Not for ordinary mortals. Bordeaux Wine, and wine growing region. With Burgundy and Champagne, the Bordeaux region of Aquitaine is one of the three most famous French wine-producing regions. Historically, its fame is at least in part due to the fact that of these three big grape-growing areas, the Bordeaux vineyard is the only one with immediate access to the sea, an advantage that has enabled it to be France's major wine exporting region for many centuries. In 1152, when queen Eleanor of Aquitaine married the English king Henry II, the Aquitaine region became economically integrated into the Anglo-Norman world, the Bordeaux region becoming the main supplier of wine for England. This historic wine exporting tradition helped Bordeaux to develop far stronger commercial links in the ensuing centuries, firmly establishing Bordeaux wines, often referred to generically in English as "clarets", on the international market. The Bordeaux vineyard is centered round the port city of Bordeaux , along the estuary of the Gironde, and the rivers Garonne and Dordogne.

It is a large vineyard, and the geo-specific appellation "Bordeaux" covers an area stretching some 100 km both north-south and east-west. While the appellation contrôlée covers wines of medium quality from all over this region, many if not most of the top quality clarets grown in the overall area benefit from more specific and distinctive area appellations, such as Médoc , Graves or Saint Emilion, and even more local appellations such as Pauillac, Graves and Saint-Estèphe. Unlike other French wine-growing areas, the Bordeaux area operates classifications of many of its top wines, notably those from the Médoc and Saint Emilion vineyards. The best estates in these areas have the right to sell wines designated as grand cru. Below the grand crus come other high quality wines designated as cru bourgeois. Tip: 2009 is said to be an exceptionally good vintage year. Médoc Among the Bordeaux vineyards, Médoc deserves a special mention. The Médoc, an area south of the Gironde estuary to the north west of Bordeaux, is the home of many of the most prestigious French wines.

Among the famous appellations produced in this area are Saint Estèphe, Margaux, Saint Julien and Pauillac. It was in 1855 that the wine producers of the Medoc region classified their 61 best wines according to a league table of "grands crus", ranking from "Premier Cru" to "Cinquième Cru". These grands crus are generally reputed to be the greatest of all French wines, and naturally their prices generally reflect this status. Obviously, if you buy an estate bottled wine from a chateau with grand cru status, (and of course they are all estate bottled), you can be pretty sure of getting a top quality wine. But take care! Even a grand cru wine can go off if it is not matured and cared for in the best conditions. Other areas of south- west France Inland and southwards from the Bordeaux / Saint Emilion regions, there are a number of less well-known wine growing areas, many of them producing quite good wines at very reasonable prices. These include Bergerac, Cahors, Gaillac and Marcillac (all Appellation Contrôlée wines) , or Côtes du Tarn or Vin de Pays du Lot.

While Marcillac is a small area, the vineyards of Cahors, Gaillac and Bergerac are quite extensive, and best known for their reds. The Cahors area produces some of the richest and darkest red wines in France, principally using the Malbec grape variety, sometimes referred to as "purple wine". However the Bergerac wine producing area is also known for its white wines, including some strong sweet aperitif wines such as Montbazillac Towards the Pyrenees, there are some surprisingly good white wines from the vineyards of Jurançon and Béarn, notably Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh, reputed for its distinctive aperitif wines. Close by, the vineyards of Madiran produce a well-known red. Bourgogne (Burgundy) The vineyards of the Burgundy region cover a narrow strip of land on the eastern slopes of the hills running south-east from the Burgundian Capital, Dijon. the heart of the Burgundy wine growing region is the historic city of Beaune, where the autumn wine sale in the historic "Hospices" building is one of the high points of the wine year.

Burgundy wines are classified on four levels, the lowest being the generic "Bourgogne" appellation. Selected areas of the Burgundy vineyard have their own classifications, such as Côtes de Beaune. Within these, there are smaller areas, villages and groups of villages, reputed to produce higher quality wine, such as Mersault, Pernand Vergelesse or Aloxe Corton . Finally, at the top of the pyramid, there are the "grands crus", such as Clos Vougeot, with its mere 51 hectares of vineyard. Finding ones way around Burgundy wines is sometimes a daunting task. The best Burgundy wines are the reds, the best of which can keep for a good 20 to 30 years. However, Burgundy also produces some top quality, though not too distinctive, whites. It is often said that generic burgundies "Bourgogne Rouge" or Bourgogne Passetoutgrains" white are overpriced and not particularly good value for money. A good tip: 2003 is said to be one of the best vintages for many years.

Visit: Check out hotels on the Burgundy wine trail ►Beaujolais: In the south of the Burgundy region, bordering the Rhone valley vineyards, a large area round Beaujeu produces a light red wine known as Beaujolais, paradoxically one of the most famous French wines. This is a wine that does not usually keep for very many years, and over the last fifty years it has been successfully marketed as a "vin primeur", or young wine, to be drunk after just a few weeks of maturing. But the success of Beaujolais Nouveau - launched on the market each year on the third Thursday of November - has more to do with clever marketing than with any real quality of the wine. Champagne The Champagne region , centered on the towns of Reims (Rheims) and Epernay, is the most northern of France's major vineyards. Unlike most of the best French wines, champagnes are blended in order to produce either non vintage champagnes (blended from different years) or vintage champagne, blended from wines of the same harvest.

Consequently, since the quality of the champagne ultimately depends on a balance between the quality of the grapes and the skill of the blenders, Champagnes are also ranked and promoted by producer, not by any more finely delimited appellation . Possibly the most highly rated of blends is Krug; other well appreciated brands include Mumm, Bollinger and Heidsieck, not to mention the very well known brands of Moët & Chandon and Taittinger. The distinct taste and purity of real champagne is certainly due to the chalky soil and the continental growing conditions that abound in the Champagne region. Several of the main French Champagne producers have set up branches and vineyards in California, but in spite of bringing over their best master-blenders, have never been able to achieve quite the same result. Although many people imagine that Champagnes are all white, this is not quite true. Rosé champagnes also exist. Note: Champagne is not a generic term for sparkling wine from France. There are plenty more good sparkling wines from France that are not sold as champagne.

While it is true to say that the top champagnes are inimitable, it is far from true to imagine that you have to buy a real champagne if you want a good French sparkling wine. Some other excellent sparkling wines are produced in Burgundy (Crémant de Bourgogne), the Jura (Crémant du Jura) and the Loire valley (Vouvray and others) and other areas, using the same techniques (formerly called "méthode champenoise" - an expression now banned from use in other regions) and a similar but not identical mix of grape varieties, notably Chardonnay. Only the most experienced connaisseurs can distinguish a middling Champagne from a good crémant or Vouvray... yet non-Champagne sparkling wines sell at a fraction of the price of equivalent quality wines from Champagne. Finally, please, the correct way to open a champagne cork is to ease it very gently out of the bottle. It is not to imitate a victorious Formula One racing driver and spray the contents of the bottle all over one's guests.

Visit: Check out hotels on the Champagne wine trail Loire Valley Although there are some excellent wines produced in the large Loire Valley area, there are few Loire wines, whites, rosés or pale reds, that rank among the greatest French wines. "Anjou Rosé" is a good everyday rosé, and "Muscadet" and "Gros Plant" from near the mouth of the Loire are dry white wines that go excellently with seafood.. Another good appellation is "Pouilly Fumé" (not to be confused with "Pouilly Fuissé", a white Burgundy). The Loire valley, however, is also France's second largest producer of sparkling wines, after Champagne. The region also produces vin gris, "grey wine", which is actually a very pale rosé, being a white wine made from black grapes. Two of the more prestigious varieties are Vouvray and Saumur. While there are plenty of Loire wines that benefit from appellations controlées, others are sold under the VDQS label.

Cognac: / Charentes: The Cognac / Charentes region is a major wine area, though normal wine itself is not the main product of the region; the wine produced is mostly used for distilling into Cognac or other spirits, or else for the production of a delicious apéritif wine known as Pineau des Charentes. Some white wine is produced under the Vin de Pays label, and there are some vineyards that produce rosé or even red wines. Jura. Possibly the most underrated of French white wines, Jura wines come from the south of the Franche-Comté region , the west-facing slopes of the Jura hills that look out across the wide Saône valley to the slopes of Burgundy on the other side. The best and most distinctive of Jura whites are made from the "Savagnin" grape variety, which is found only in this region, and gives the wine a delicious sherry-like taste. However, most Jura wines are blended from different varieties, and as in Alsace, the grape variety tends to be indicated on the label.

the Jura vineyard also produces dark rosé wines, sometimes called reds, as well as the famous "yellow wine", Vin Jaune, an expensive apéritif wine not unlike Amontillado sherry, made exclusively from the Savagnin grape variety. The most prestigious appellation for Vin Jaune is Château Chalon. This wine is made from late harvested grapes, and then left to mature in casks for at least six years. Côtes du Rhone Côtes du Rhône is one of those French wines that has become famous on account more as a result of the extent of the vineyard than of the quality of the wine. The Côtes du Rhône vineyard runs for over 200 kilometres down the Rhone valley from the south of Lyons to the Camargue . Within the region, there are a number of prestigious smaller areas such as Côte Rotie (in the northern part of the region), Hermitage or Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas (near Avignon). The southern end of the Côtes du Rhône appellation area isa ctually in Provence.

The vast majority of Côtes du Rhône wine is sold under the generic appellations, "Côtes du Rhône" or "Côtes du Rhone Villages". Côtes du Rhone wines are mediterranean wines, and generally speaking they are blended from the different classic grape varieties of the South of France, including most notably Viognier, Syrah, and Grenache. Price-wise, generic Côtes du Rhône wines are often at the cheaper end of the "appellation contrôlée" range. Provence Provence is a large wine-producing area, best-known for its rosé wines, the most famous of which are Côtes de Provence and Côteaux d'Aix. However, the Provence vineyard also produces red wines, including some very rich red wines from the Var, and "grey wine" from the Camargue area. The most famous of the area's white wines is Bandol, celebrated since the middle ages. Note that the Provence vineyard also includes the southern end of the Côtes du Rhone AOC area.

Languedoc The Languedoc region , covering the Mediterranean coastal plain west of the Rhone, produces a lot of fairly ordinary red wine, much of it marketed as VDQS or Vin de Pays. Languedoc is the largest French wine producing area in terms of volume. There are seven Appellations controlées in the area, the best-known of which is Corbières, and possibly the best average quality of which is Fitou. AOC wines account for some 10% of the region's production, but the proportion is increasing as Languedoc producers concentrate more on quality, rather than quantity, and strive to reposition their wines higher up the market. Thanks to the long hours of summer sun, grapes ripen well and quickly in this region, which means that Languedoc wines are rich and full bodied, and often have high alcohol content. The wines of Roussillon are very similar, this area being particularly noted for its fortified wines such as Banyuls. Rather different from the rest are the sparkling wines produced in Limoux, near Carcassonne.

"Blanquette de Limoux" is reputedly the oldest sparkling wine in France; and according to the story, it was a Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, who introduced the Limoux method of producing good sparkling wine, to the monks in Champagne who were looking for ways to improve the quality of their rather nondescript dry white wines. Regarding Dom Pérignon, the myth is almost certainly untrue; but it is well documented that Limoux was already producing sparkling wines in the 1540s, half a century before the technique took hold in Champagne. Copyright About-France.com © 2003 - 2017 ABOUTFRA There are ten major wine growing regions in France, plus a number of smaller areas. Indeed there is commercial wine production in every region of France, except for the regions bordering on France's north coast. French wine in a world market For hundreds of years, France basked in the reputation of being the world's greatest producer of wines. Today, that reputation is being rivalled by other wine-growing nations on four continents, and the French wine industry is facing new challenges.

Since the low of 2003, the French wine industry has been trying to reinvent itself, producing new wines for a changing world and European market, while continuing to provide the world's greatest wines, produced on estates with perfect conditions and centuries of winegrowing tradition. For those who know how to choose, and know something about wines, France still offers some of the greatest wines, with the greatest variety, and - yes ! - excellent value for money, even from the main wine areas. Top quality wines on sale in the village of Pommard, Burgundy Chateau de Montbazillac, near Bergerac ►► Site guide 1000+ images about france - BURGUNDY on Pinterest | Study guides, French wine and White burgundy White Burgundy: Tasting and Pairing the Ultimate French Chardonnay #wine #france #burgundy #winetasting #wineeducation See More Information on French Wine: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Chablis and more Store French Wine Here you can discover information on French wine such as Bordeaux wine, Beaujolais, Burgundy wine, Chablis, Sauternes and Champagne.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of wine from France, understanding wine labels, the main wine regions, wine tours in France, and French wine gifts. Wine has been an important part of French culture since at least 500 BC, due to the presence of indigenous vines and a climate well-suited to wine production. Understanding the Wine Labels In France, the grape variety is usually not included on the wine label. Instead, the label will usually indicate the name of the wine bottler, the region or vineyard where the wine was produced, and the French quality classification. Check out this article to learn how to understand a French wine label and their wine classification system to better understand how to select French wine based on the information on the label. Wine Regions & Types of French Wine There are ten main wine-making regions in France, each with their own characteristic wines. The different types of wine are usually labeled by the region they are from: Alsace & Lorraine This region is on the east side of France around Strasbourg, close to Germany. It is home to some of the world’s best white wines, with as much Germanic as French influence.

Unlike in other French wine regions, the wines produced in Alsace usually include the grape variety on the label. You can find some excellent Gewürztraminers, Rieslings, and Pinot Gris. Bordeaux Famous mostly for full-bodied red wines, Bordeaux is on the southwest coast of France. Red Bordeaux wines are made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. There are also white Bordeaux wines which are combinations of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. Apart from excellent reds, Bordeaux produces some fine Sauternes, sweet white wines often drunk as a dessert wine in France. Burgundy Some of the best wines in the world are produced in this region between Lyon and Dijon in the eastern side of the country. The grapes grown in Burgundy include red (Pinot Noir, Gamay and César) as well as white (Chardonnay, Aligoté, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris).

Some of the well-known types of wine from Burgundy include Chablis (a white wine made from Chardonnay grapes), Beaujolais (the young red wine from Gamay grapes), Pouilly-Fuissé (Chardonnay), and Volnay (Pinot Noir). Champagne This region just to the east of Paris in northern France is well-known for the Champagne sparkling wine, the most famous of which is named after the abbot who is widely credited with invented Champagne wine, Dom Pérignon. Still white and red wines are also made in Champagne, but most are not as good as still French wines from other regions. Jura & Savoie This region is just east of Burgundy, toward Lake Geneva and close to the mountains. Wines from Jura include nice Pinot Noirs, as well as Trousseau and Poulsard grape varieties, and dry white wines made with Chardonnay and Savagnin grapes. Savoie wines are often enjoyed at the nearby ski resorts, and include light, fruity reds, rosés and whites.

Languedoc-Roussilon This large area is along the coast in the southernmost portions of France and includes a variety of climates and soils. As a result, there are several different varieties of grapes grown in Languedoc-Roussilon and a broad range in types of wine as well as in the quality of win. Red wine grape varieties include Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan and Mouvèdre. White wines are made from Chardonnay, Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Sauvignon and Viognier. Loire Valley This region along the Loire River, southwest of Paris, the Loire Valley is well known for excellent, refreshing white and rosé wines. The grapes grown in this region include Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, highlighted in nice wines from Vouvray, Sancerre, and Pouilly Fumé. Provence & Corsica Provence is a warm, sunny region just east of Languedoc-Roussilon along the southeastern French coast, encompassing the towns of Marseille and Toulon.

From Provence, you will find rosé wines that are generally not great... but also very nice red wines. Corsica is an island off the southern coast of France with a strong Italian influence that is also reflected in the region's wines. Rhône Valley This wine region is just north of the Provence area. Mostly red wine is produced, heavily influenced by the spicy Syrah grape, blended with Grenache and other varieties. The wines are rich, with the spicy and peppery flavors of these grapes. Muscat and Viognier are also popular for the white wines of the Rhone Valley. Southwest France Close to Spain as well as the Bordeaux wine region, this is a number of smaller but growing areas in the south of France. The growing conditions are similar to Bordeaux, so many appellations grow the same grape varieties, and it is possible to find better value in wine from this region. The Bergerac wines are a good example. However, with the large variety of wines, grapes used, and winemaking techniques, there is also a lot of variety in the wines from this region. It can be hard to know what you're getting, until you actually taste it.

If you are interested in learning more about French wine, the best way is to start sampling and tasting a variety of wines from France to develop your own personal preferences. Interfrance: Burgundy Wine Region, Beaujolais and Macon wine tour, Photos and Videos Click on image for larger view Beaujolais Appellation AOC Beaujolais is the basic appellation. The wines originate almost entirely from the southern part of the region, where the soil is sandy and clayey. They account for about half of the regions total production. They are generally light-bodied with low tannin and pronounced, youthful fruity aromas and flavors. They are wines to drink young, in the first year after the harvest. The appellation Beaujolais Superieur is basic Beaujolais wines that have higher minimum alcohol content. Beaujolais-Villages Appellation This appellation comes from grapes grown in the territory of 39 villages in the northern part of the region. The village name can be mentioned if the wine comes solely from that vineyard. They account for 25 percent of all Beaujolais production.

With the schist and granite soils of the north, these wines are fuller, but still fruity, fresh, for consuming young, until they are about 2 years old. Beaujolais Nouveau It differs from other Beaujolais wines according to how it is made. The grapes are harvested in the Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages vineyards in late August or September. About two-thirds of the wine from these areas is made into Beaujolais Nouveau. It is vinified and bottled as fast as possible, to ensure the wine is bursting with youthful fruitiness. By mid-November, the wine is already bottled and on the third Thursday of November, wine drinkers all over the world open bottles to celebrate the harvest. It is the lightest, fruitiest of Beaujolais. Crus Beaujolais The best wines come from 10 specific zones in the northern half of the region with granitic soils. They carry the name of the area where the grapes grow. The best cru wines, when aged for 6 to 7 years, can achieve a positively Burgundian gamay complexity. They are firmer, richer and more refined than other Beaujolais wines.

Each has its own character. The 10 villages from north to south are: St-Amour, Juliénas, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly. MACONNAIS REGION The Mâconnais is the meeting point of northern and southern France. The grape harvest is earlier than the Côte d'Or, producing wines with richer, riper flavors. The strength of this large district, northwest of Mâcon, lies in its fruity whites made from Chardonnay. Only a quarter of the district's wines are red, generally produced from the Gamay grape and sold under the generic appellation controlée Bourgogne. Mâcon and Mâcon-Villages The most basic wines are sold as Macon or Macon Superieur, but wines of much greater character are Macon-Villages. The word "Villages" often being replaced on the label by the name of one of the 43 villages entitled to the appellation, such as Macon-Lugny. About 90 percent of Macon wine is made by cooperatives.

Pouilly-Fuissé Part of the huge white wine-producing district of the Maconnais, the wines of the appellation of Pouilly-Fuissé, made entirely with the Chardonnay grape, are some of the most famous white Burgundies in the world. The vineyards lie at the base of the ancient Rock of Solutre and around the villages of Pouilly and Fuissé, which give the name to the appellation. The Chardonnay grown on these limestone soils tends to be richer. Burgundy wine trail If you want to buy it click on the picture The Burgundy Wine Trail Renowned all over the world, the wines of Burgundy contribute at least as much as Bordeaux and Champagne to the fame that France enjoys in matters viticultural. The area of vine cultivation begins in the Yonne department, barely two hours from Paris. It is an unspoilt region of traditions, charm and secret corners, where the past still plays an important role in the present. And you will enjoy sampling some truly great wines, both red and white.

The vineyards of Burgundy start in the Auxerrois - the area which includes notably the Chablis district - continues southwards from Dijon as far as Mï¿½con, after which Beaujolais takes over. Geographically very drawn out and with its long-established traditions in vine cultivation, the region produces a wide range of wines, from ordinary wine for everyday drinking to some of the most famous wines in the world. Burgundy is home to some of the very greatest wines to emerge from the vineyards of France: you will never forget the red wine of Romanï¿½e-Conti, not to mention the famous white from Corton-Charlemagne...

Question: The French wine growing areas of Macon, Beaujolais and Chablis are in which region?
Answer: Burgundy